Frank Viola, baseball player, 1982-1996

Frank Viola

Born: 4/19/1960 in Hempstead, NY, USA

MLB Debut: 1982-06-06 | Final Game: 1996-05-28

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 200 lbs

Full name: Frank John Viola

Biography

Frank Viola, born in 1960, was a prominent left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1982 until his retirement in 1996. Over the course of his career, which spanned 14 seasons, Viola established himself as a formidable competitor on the mound, finishing with a career record of 176-150 and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.73. He accumulated a total of 1,844 strikeouts, showcasing his ability to overpower hitters and contribute significantly to his teams' successes. Despite never recording a save, his role as a starting pitcher was pivotal during his tenure in the league. Viola's career was highlighted by his outstanding performance in the 1987 postseason, where he was named the World Series Most Valuable Player while leading the Minnesota Twins to their first championship. His excellence on the field was further recognized when he won the coveted Cy Young Award, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers of his era. Additionally, he was selected as an All-Star three times, reflecting his consistency and skill throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. With his contributions to the game, Frank Viola remains a significant figure in baseball history, remembered for his competitiveness and remarkable achievements during a time of intense competition in the sport.

Career Pitching Statistics

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA Pitcher PIV
176 150 421 420 74 16 0 2836.3 2827 1175 294 864 1844 3.73 0

Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
421 185 8 26 3 0 0 6 0 3 41 0.141 0.154 0.157 0.311 -1477.1

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.000

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1987 WS MIN 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.000
1987 ALCS MIN 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Playoff Career Pitching

W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
3 1 5 5 0 31.3 31 15 8 25 4.31

Playoff Pitching by Year

Year Round Team W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1987 ALCS MIN 1 0 2 2 0 12.0 14 7 5 9 5.25
1987 WS MIN 2 1 3 3 0 19.3 17 8 3 16 3.72

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
P 421 420 84 371 32 19

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Pitcher 421

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1995 CIN NL $190,000
1994 BOS AL $4,333,334
1993 BOS AL $4,833,333
1992 BOS AL $4,833,333
1991 NYN NL $3,166,667
1990 NYN NL $1,966,667
1989 MIN AL $2,766,666
1988 MIN AL $1,350,000
1987 MIN AL $830,000
1986 MIN AL $674,000
1985 MIN AL $375,000
Total Career Earnings $25,319,000

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
St. John's University Queens NY 1979, 1980, 1981

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1990 Cy Young Award NL 3rd 19.0 120 0
1988 Cy Young Award AL 1st 138.0 140 27
1988 Most Valuable Player AL 10th 39.0 392 0
1987 Cy Young Award AL 6th 5.0 140 0
1984 Cy Young Award AL 6th 2.0 140 0